Mobile crane



Oct- 13, 1964 w. BARTHoLoMEw 3,152,789

- MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. .28. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 s g 1e 8 3 B D g .b3

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E Q l PS X n :a R N)\ I W/'on L. Haribo/amen' 1N VEN TOR' Oct. 13, 1964 w, BARTHOLQMEW 3,152,789

MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n man L. @armo/@maw INVENTOR BY www? M,

Oct. 13, 1964 w, L. BARTHoLoMz-:w 3,152,789

MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wim L. mha/amew l N VEN TOR l resist it from being paid out.

United States Patent F 3,152,789 MOBUJE CE Wion L. Bartholomew, Richmond, Va.; Southern Bank d.:

Trust Company, executor of said Winn L Bartholomew,

deceased, assigner to First Baptist Benevolent Association, Richmond, Va.

Filed Feb. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 92,190 7 Claims. (Qi. lt-139.1)

This invention relates to a tractor vehicle mounted machine forfacilitating the handling and assembling of logs for subsequent loading and transport.

The present invention is therefore concerned with an operation sometimes referred to as log yarding which involves gathering and assembling of logs from withinl a wooded area to a point from which they may be more conveniently loaded and transported away. A considerable amount of laborious and difficult labor has heretofore been involved in the handling of such logs which are dispersed in locations relatively inaccessible to heavy machinery capable of handling logs. The present invention therefore involves a machine mounted on a tractor type vehicle which may be brought up as relatively close as possible to an area from which fallen timber logs may be gathered. The assemblage of the logs at a desired location in front of the machine may therefore be greatly facilitated by utilizing the machine of the present invention to eectively reduce the labor involved in the handling of logs as heretofore done and to perform the log yarding operation with increased speed and less bulky equipment. It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a log yarding machine mounted on a tractor type vehicle from which a dragline cable may be withdrawn with great ease for attachment to inaccessibly located logs to thereby drag the logs toward the assemblage area in front of the machine and to load the assembled logs onto a truck if desired for transport thereof,

Another object of this invention is to provide a log yarding machine which requires no movement thereof either angularly or slidably from the position to which it is brought for the purpose of gathering the logs for subsequent loading and transport purposes. The log yarding machine of the present inventionnevertheless permits the paying out of the dragline cable in practically any direction with respect to the position of the machine without imposing any binding load on the cable which tends to The dragline cable may accordingly be attached to logs dispersed within the surrounding area in a more facile manner for subsequentV dragging of the logs to the assembly area.

A further object of this invention `is to provide a log yarding machine which will not only drag logs to the gathering area in front thereof but Vwill also operate as a crane to lift the logs so that they may be loaded thereby onto a truck.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a log yarding machine featuring a power winch mechanism so arranged with respect to the tractor power take-oit and the dragline guiding boom as to avoid imposing any substantial binding load On the dragline cable by virtue Vof any resistance to rotation heretofore imposed on the power winch drum by the power drive mechanism connected thereto. v The arrangement of the log yarding machine therefore involves guiding of the dragline cable for a substantial distance in a central vertical plane so as to ice prevent binding of the dragline cable despite the lack of turntable mounting of the machine frame on the vehicle and also tomaintain the guided portion of the dragline cable within' the vertical plane regardless of the angle at which the cable has been withdrawn from the anchored position of the vehicle mounted frame.

Another object of this invention is to provide a yard logger in which a forwardly extending boom which guidingly directed the dragline, is pivotally displaceable in an upward direction so as to position the boom in an upper position, in which upper position the boom becomes locked as a rigid crane boom so that subsequent winding of the winch drum will raise the log above the ground so that it may be loaded onto a truck as hereinbefore indicated. The boom may also be held in its lower extending position by a weight responsive mechanism which will resist upward displacement of the boom by the cable tension for transport purposes. Means for rendering the locking mechanism inoperative is also provided for use when the boom is operative for dragline guidance.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and Voperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the log yarding machine. Y

FG. 2 is a side elewational view of the machine illustrated in FIGURE l. 1

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the machine.

FIGURE 4 is a partial front elevational view of the the boom holding and locking mechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a partial side sectional view of a portion of the machine showing the boom in its lower and upper positions. Y

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the winch portion of the machine.

FlGURE 7 is a partial side elevational View of the portion of the machine illustrated in FiGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the machine in its entirety. The machine which is generally referred to by reference numeral l0 is mounted on a tractor type vehicle generally referred to by reference numeral 12 which is of a conventional type. The tractor vehicle 12 accordingly includes a pair of front steering wheels 14 and rear traction wheels 16 which are drivingly interconnected through the axle tube 18. The tractor transmission portion 20 is accordingly mounted rearwardly of the vehicle for drive of the rear traction wheels 16 and for powering the machine 1d by a power takeoff as will be hereafter described, The vehicle seat 22 is mounted rearwardly of the vehicle 1.2V within the easy grasp of control mechanisms for the power winch generally referred to by reference numeral 24 as will be hereafter explained in further detail.

The machine iti is mounted on the tractor vehicle 12 by Va frame'assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 26. T-he frame assemblyv includes a pair of vside channel members 2S which are disposed along both sides of the tractor and extend forwardly thereof and rearwardly thereof a considerable distance as more clearly seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. A subfrarne assembly gen# erallyreferred to by reference numeral 3) is Vaccordingly mounted between the forward portions of the side frame members 28 while a rear subframe assembly 32 is supported between the rear portions of the side frame members 28. The forward subframe assembly 36 includes a pair of forward vertical post members 34 connected at the lower ends thereof to an angle frame member 36 connected to and disposed between the side frame members 2S. The upper ends of the post members 34 are interconnected by an upwardly directed channel member 38 while a forward shield member 40 is welded to the post members 34 in protective relation to the tractor vehicle 12. Rear post members 42 also make up the forward subframe assembly 36" and are connected to the forward post members 34 by horizontal frame members 44. A pivot support bracket 46 is therefore connected at the juncture of the frame members 42 and 44 for the purpose of pivotally mounting the boom assembly generally `referred to by reference numeral 48. Additional and suitable brace members 56 may complete the forward subframe assembly Sil. It will be observed however that the upper end of the forward post members 34 are spaced above the upper end of the rear post members 42 to which the pivot bracket assembly 46 is connected. Accordingly, the boom assembly 48 which is pivotally connected to the pivot bracket 46 may rest in its lower position as illustrated by solid line in FIGURE 2 on the forward portion of the forward subframe assembly 30. The rear subframe assembly 32 includes a pair of transversely disposed parallel channel frame members S2 and S4 which are suitably bolted to the side frame members 2S. The cross frame member 54 is disposed between the traction wheels 16 of the tractor vehicle while the cross frame member 52 is disposed rearwardly thereof. Upwardly projecting support members 56 are anchored at their lower ends to the cross frame member 52 and interconnected by member 58 at their upper ends to form a trapezoidal configuration. Welded to the upper ends of the members 56 and projecting forwardly therefrom for anchoring on the cross member 54 are a pair of frame members 611. The rear subframe assembly 32 accordingly provides support for the power winch assembly 24 to one lateral side of the frame assembly 26. Accordingly, as more clearly seen in FlGURE 6, the rear subframe assembly 32 also includes a centrally disposed frame member 62 interconnected as by welding to the cross frame members 52 and 54 and further includes a shorter cross frame member 64 connected to the frame member 62 and the side frame member 28 of the frame assembly. The power winch assembly 24 is accordingly rotatably mounted between the cross members 52 and 54 and the cross member 64. The upwardly projecting frame members 56 and 6E! pro vide support for the top frame member 58 from which a cable guide pulley 66 is flexibly suspended by chain links 68. Similar flexible chain links 70 are connected to the forward end of the boom assembly 48 for supporting therefrom the cable guide pulley 72. It will therefore be appreciated, that the drag line cable 74 which extends tangentially upwardly from the power winch assembly 24 will be guided over the guide pulley 66 and extend forwardly therefrom and entrained about the guide pulley '72 whereby the portion of the drag line cable will extend for a substantial distance between the pulleys 66 and 72 disposed rearwardly of and forwardly of the vehicle 12 substantially within a ver-tical central plane through the vehicle. The cable 74 which is connected at its free end to the log engaging tong mechanism 76 will thereby be substantialy free of binding resistance to the paying out of the cable from the power winch assembly 24. It will also be appreciated, that the boom assembly 48 which is pivotally mounted by the forward subframe assembly will be pivotally displaceable within said central vertical plane so that the cable '74 displaced therewith will remain within the central vertical plane in order to maintain the freedom from the binding resistance hereinbefore mentioned. The particular disposition of the frame assembly 26 including the subframe assemblies 3i) and 32 is therefore of particular signicance inasmuch as the drag line cable 74 must be capable of being withdrawn at various angles with respect to the vehicle 12 from the forward guide pulley 72 in order to retrieve logs dispersed within the vicinity in various directions with respect to the position of the machine 10.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7 in particular, it will be observed that the power winch assembly includes a power shaft 78 which is journallcd within journal assemblies 36, 52 and 112 respectively mounted on the cross frame members 52, 64 and 54. A cable winch drum 34 is xed to the power shaft 78 between the side frame members 28 and 62 so that the cable 74 withdrawn therefrom tangentially may extend upwardly to the guide pulley 66 substantially within the central vertical plane hereinbefore mentioned. Connected to the rear flange of the cable drum 84, is a ratchet wheel 86 which may be engaged by a brake pawl 8d pivotally mounted on the side frame member 62 by the pivot assembly 90. Engagement and disengagement of the brake pawl 88 for holding the drum stationary or releasing the drum, may therefore be effected by a pawl control lever 92 connected to the brake pawl 88 and rotationally supported by a pivot bracket 94 on the side frame member 62. Connected to the power shaft 7S on the forward side of the cross frame member 64 is a brake drum 96 of the friction brake type to which a friction brake band 98 may be selectively applied for retarding rotation of the `brake drum 84. The upper end ofthe friction brake band is accordingly anchored to the frame member 64 by a projecting member ltltl' while the other or lower end of the friction brake band 9S is connected `to a control lever 102 pivotally mounted by the pivot assembly 104 on the side frame member 28 whereby the brake is self-energizing. The control lever 162 is biased to a brake release position by a counterweight 166 connected tothe rear end of the brake control lever 162. The power shaft 78 is also connected to one side of a clutch mechanism 163 of any suitable type which may be axially actuated to engage or disengage for the purpose of powering the power shaft 78. The clutch mechanism 108 accordingly includes a sliding yoke 114 which is pivotally connected to a connecting rod 116 connected at its opposite end to a lever element to which the pivot rod 11S is connected. The pivot rod 118 isl journaled within a pair of pivot brackets projecting upwardly from the cross member 54 and has connected thereto a clutch control lever 120. Also connected to the pivot rod 118 is a counterweight 122 for the purpose of biasing the clutch control lever 120 toward a clutch release position. Also, a control rod member 124 having an upwardly bent portion 126 at a forward end thereof is pivotally mounted by the frame member 62 and is connected to the pawl control lever 92 for operation thereof by rotational displacement of the control rod 124. It will be observed therefore from FIGURE 2, that the brake control lever 1.62, the clutch control lever 126 and the brake pawl control arm 124 are disposed just rearwardly of the vehicle seat 22 of the vehicle -so that the control levers and arm are within easy grasp of the vehicle operator for the purpose of controlling the operations of the machine itl. n

In order to impart drive to the cable power winch assembly 24, the clutch mechanism 108 is connected to a power input sprocket wheel which is rotationally mounted on the power shaft 7S adjacent to the journal assembly 112. A sprocket chain drive 123 therefore is provided for drivingly interconnecting the input sprocket wheel 116 to a power takeoff shaft 130 from the tractor vehicle transmission. The power takeoff shaft 136 will therefore 'beinV parallel spaced relation below the power shaft 7S and Ldrivingly connected thereto only by the drive chain 128 so that a minimum of resistance to rotation will be inherent in the -drive connection between the power winch assembly 24 and its power source. It will there` fore Vbe apparent, that the arrangement of the power winch assembly 24 with respect to the guiding facilities of the frame assembly for the drag line cable will reduce both binding resistance on the cable and resistance torotation heretofore inherent in countershaft gearing provided for drivingly interconnecting the power winch assembly to the tractor power source. It will therefore be appreciated that the axial in line arrangement of the components of the power Winch assembly is of utmost significance for the improved operation of the machine of the present invention. Furthermore, by virtue of the novel disposition of the power winch assembly, the control levers M2 and 120 and the control arm 12o thereof are conveniently disposed within easy grasp of the vehicle operator. The vehicle operator may thereby release the cable drum 8d from engagement by the brake pawl S8 and the friction brakeband 98 so that the cable may be withdrawn easily by a laborer pulling the dragline cable 74 into a wooded area for retrieval of logs dispersed therein. The load engaging tongs '76 may then be hooked onto a log. Upon a signal from the laborer, the machine operator may then engage the clutch mechanism M8 through the clutch control lever 12th for the purpose of powering the cable drum 84 to wind up thereupon the dragline cable 74 to thereby drag the log toward the gathering area in front of the machine 16. The power winch drum fi/tinay be stopped at any desired position by use of the brake control lever lltlZ while the brake pawl 33 maybe actuated into engagement with the brake ratchet wheel S6 for positively holding the winch drum S4 in any rotational position.

it will be appreciated, that the boom assembly #i8 ordinarily constitutes a forward guide mounting for the flexibly suspended guide pulley 72 and hence a point with respect to which the dragline cable '74 may be withdrawn in any desired direction for log retrieval purposes. The boom assembly may also be manually conditioned for operation as acrane by locking it in an upper position. Referring therefore to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 in particular, it will be observed that the cross frame member 33 interconnected between the upper ends of the vertical post members 34 has mounted thereon a pair of boom rest members E32 which receive the members 134 which form the boom assembly 48. It will be observed, that the members 134 are interconnected at the forward end thereof by the member 136 to which the bracket i3d is connected for suspending the forward guide pulley 72 by the exible chain links 7b. When the boom assembly d3 is in its lower position with the members i3d thereof resting within the rest members iSZ, lateral projections i4@ on the side members id may be engaged by inwardly projecting portions 142 of a pair of boom holding lever members 144. The lever 'holding members 144 are accordingly pivotally mounted by the subframe assembly 3@ and include counterweights idd at their inner ends for the purpose of biasing the holding lever members 144 in 0pp'osite directions as viewed in FIGURE 4 for the purpose of engaging andv holding the boom assembly l in its lower position. When the chain 148 is interconnected to both lever members idd for holding them in released positions as shown in FIGURE 2 the boom assembly 48 may be displaced in a counter-clockwise direction toward the position as shown by dotted lines in FEGURE 2. However, should it be desired to positively lock the boom assembly 48 in its lower position, the chain i143 is disconnected from one of the boom holding levers M4 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 preventing upward displacement of the booinassembly 45.

During the log yarding operations, the chain M8 will be disconnected so that the boom'will be locked in the For log loading purposes, the boom may bers 134 of the booml assembly forwardly of the cross frame channel member 38 pivotally mounts a pair of foldable boom supporting legs 154 by means of pivot brackets 56. The boom supporting legs 154 are interconnected at the rear ends thereof by a portion 15S and have connected thereto a hook member 166i. When the boom assembly 48 is in its upper position as illustrated by dotted lines in FIGURES 2 and 5, the rear or lower end 158 of the boom supporting legs 154 will fall into the channel of the channel frame member 3S as more clearly seen in FIGURE 5. in such position, the hook member i60 will prevent removal of the supporting legs 154 from their position as long as the boom assembly 48 is under load. Accordingly, the boom assembly d8 in its upper position will automatically be rendered operative as a rigid crane support so that continued withdrawal of the dragline cable 74 will cause the log 150 to be raised above the ground as indicated by dotted lines in FIGURE 2. As a result thereof, the machine l@ is not only capable of dragging logs into the assembly area but is also automatically rendered operative to raise the logs for subsequent loading on a truck. In order to release the boom assembly 43 from its rigid crane supporting condition, it will be l necessary to impose a rearward pull on the boom assembly 48 from its upper position by means of the power winch assembly, in which case the supporting legs 15d will be drawn rearwardly within the channel of the channel frame member 38 releasing the hook members 1643 therefrom so that the leg members 154 may be pivotally withdrawn by the operator upwardly or clockwise from the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 2 and out of the channel whereupon the boom assembly 4S may then be lowered to its lower position. It will be observed from FIGURES 2 and 5 therefore, that in the upper rigid locked position of the boom assembly 48 the leg members 154 will be disposed slightly forward of a vertical position so that the load on the cable and on the forward end of the boom assembly will continue to lock the leg members 154i within the channel of the channel frame member 38. When the loadis removed, the boom 4S may be further displaced a suiiicient amount so that the leg members 154 will be disposed perpendicular and rearwardly within the channel for easy withdrawal therefrom with the assistance of the operator for disengag-irig the hook 16d.

From the foregoing description, operation and utility of the machine for performing the logging operations described, will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated that by virtue of the forward and rearward disposivtions of the guide pulleys respectively on the forward end of the boom assembly Aid and the Vrear frame subassembly 32 substantially within a iiiredly anchored'central vertical plane, a non-binding guiding mechanism is provided for the drag line cable in an improved manner without reliance on complexV and spatially extensivelturntable mounting structure. Furthermore, the in line disposition of thepower Winch assembly to one lateralside of the central vertical plane in parallel relation thereto enables the cable 74 to beV withdrawn therefrom tangentially within the central vertical plane so as to further avoid any cable binding. Furthermore, the larrangement of the power winch assembly 24 also avoids the resistance of countershaft gearing as lheretofore employed. The arrangement is also rendered novel and advantageous by virtue of the automatic locking of the boom assembly in an upper rigid condition providing a crane support for the logs brought to a position below the boom assembly so that continued rotationrof the power winch may raise the logs for log loading purposes. In addition to the ,foregoing advantages, the facilities for operating the snaar/e9 The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction land operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. In combination with a vehicle, a machine for yarding logs comprising, frame means iixedly mounted on the vehicle, cable guiding boom means movably mounted by the frame means for displacement substantially in a fixed vertical plane through the vehicle between a lower and an upper position, winch means rotatably mounted by the frame means rearwardly of the vehicle about an axis laterally disposed parallel to said vertical plane, a drag line connected at one end to the winch means and at the other end to a log engaging tong, flexibly mounted cable guide means connected to the boom means forwardly of the vehicle for guiding the drag line substantially' in said vertical plane for a substantial distance between locations rearwardly of and forwardly of the vehicle to reduce cable binding loads on the drag line and the winch means in response to extension of the drag line at diderent angles with respect to the vehicle, and load responsive means operatively connected to the frame means and the boom means for rendering the boom means operative in said upper position as a rigid crane support in response to positioning of a load below the boom means, said load responsive means comprising boom rest means mounted on the frame means mounted forwardly of the vehicle for supporting the boom means in said lower and upper positions, supporting leg means pivotally connected at one end to the boom means forwardly of the rest means, and hook means connected to the other end of the leg means for engagement with the rest means when the boom means is displaced to said upper position by tensioning of the dragline to lock the boom means in the upper position by the load, said hook means capable of being released from the rest means after a rearward pull is exerted on the boom means by the dragline when it is unloaded.

2. The combination of yclaim 1, including boom locking means mounted on the frame means and engageable with the boom means for holding the boom means in said lower position, and disconnectible means connected to the locking means for rendering the locking means inoperative.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said winch means comprises axially aligned and directly interconnected clutch means, brake means and cable drum means rotatably mounted rearwardly of the vehicle, biased lever control means operatively connected to the brake means and clutch means for respectively braking the drum means and directly connecting the cable drum means to a tractor drive means axially aligned therewith.

4. in combination with a vehicle, a machine for yarding logs comprising, frame means ixedly mounted on the Vehicle, cable guiding boom means movably mounted by the frame means for displacement substantially in a fixed vertical plane through the vehicle between a lower and an upper position, winch means rotatably mounted by the frame means rearwardly of the vehicle about an axis laterally disposed parallel to said vertical plane, a drag line connected at one end to the winch means and at the other end to a log engaging tong, flexibly mounted cable guide means connected to the boom means forwardly of the vehicle for guiding the drag line substantially in said vertical plane for a substantial distance between locations rearwardly of and forwardly of the vehicle to reduce cable binding loads on the drag line and the winch means in response to extension of the drag line at different angles with respect to the vehicle, boom locking means mounted on the frame means and engageable with the boom means for holding the boom means in said lower position, and

disconnectible means connected to the locking means for rendering the locking means inoperative.

5. ln combination with a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, a machine for yarding logs comprising, frame means fixedly mounted on the vehicle projecting forwardly and rearwardly therebeyond and thereabove, forwardly projecting boom means pivotally mounted and supported by the frame means adjacent a forward end'thereof in fixed vertical alignment with said longitudinal axis through the vehicle, winch means rotatably mounted by the frame means adjacent a rearward end thereof about an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis, pulley means flexibly mounted below a forward end of the boom means in vertical alignment with said longitudinal axis, cable means connected at one end to the winch means and entrained about the pulley means, log engaging means connected to the other end of the cable means, load responsive means operatively connected to the frame means and the boom means for rendering the boom means operative in said upper position as a rigid crane support in response to positioning of a load below the boom means, boom locking means mounted on the frame means and engageable with the boom means for holding the boom means in a lov er position, and disconnectible means connected to the locking means for rendering the locking means inoperative.

6. A tractor vehicle mounted machine for yarding logs including, a boom assembly comprising, iixedly mounted frame means, boom means movably mounted by the frame means for displacement between a lower position and an upper position in a single plane, a drag line guidingly supported by the boom means in said single plane for positioning a load ,with respect thereto, and load responsive locking means operatively connected to the frame means and the boom means for rendering the boom means operative in the upper position as a rigid crane support in response to positioning of a load below the boom means, said load responsive locking means comprising a boom rest means mounted on the frame means forwardly of the vehicle for supporting the boom means in said upper position, supporting'leg means pivotally connected at one end to the boom means forwardly of the rest means, and hook means connected to the other end of the leg means for engagement with the rest means when the boom means is displaced to said upper position by tensioning of the dragline to lock the boom means in the upper position by the load, said hook means capable of being released from the-rest means after a rearward pull is exerted on the boom means by the dragline when it is unloaded.

7. A vehicle mounted machine for gathering and assembling logs comprising a xedly mounted frame on the vehicle having a boom supporting portion disposed above a forward end of the vehicle and a winch supporting p0rtion projecting rearwardly of the vehicle, a boom pivotally mounted by the boom supporting portion of the frame for pivotal displacement in a vertical plane, a winch drum rotatably mounted by the winch supporting portion of the frame about an axis disposed parallel to said vertical plane, a dragline cable rotatably wound upon said drum, a guide pulley flexibly supported by the winch support frame portion about the winch drum substantially within said vertical plane, a boom guide pulley flexibly supported at a forward end of the boom, said pulleys guiding the cable for movement in said vertical plane for a substantial portionthereof, log engaging tongs connected to one end of the cable, a channel member mounted on the boom supporting frame portion supporting thereon the boom in a lower position, disengageable locking levers mounted on the frame for yieldably holding the boom in the lower position when rendered operative, foldable boom supporting legs pivotally connected Y to the boom forwardly of the channel member having 4to the free endstof the legs for preventing withdrawal of the legs from the channel member when the boom is loaded, power take-oil drive means on the vehicle disposed in parallel relation 1oelow the winch drum and clutch-brake control means axially aligned with and drivingly Connecting the winch Ydrum to the power take- 5 off drive means. References cited in the me of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 726,325 Miller et al. Apr. 28, 1903 10 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1947 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A VEHICLE, A MACHINE FOR YARDING LOGS COMPRISING, FRAME MEANS FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE, CABLE GUIDING BOOM MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED BY THE FRAME MEANS FOR DISPLACEMENT SUBSTANTIALLY IN A FIXED VERTICAL PLANE THROUGH THE VEHICLE BETWEEN A LOWER AND AN UPPER POSITION, WINCH MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED BY THE FRAME MEANS REARWARDLY OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT AN AXIS LATERALLY DISPOSED PARALLEL TO SAID VERTICAL PLANE, A DRAG LINE CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE WINCH MEANS AND AT THE OTHER END TO A LOG ENGAGING TONG, FLEXIBLY MOUNTED CABLE GUIDE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE BOOM MEANS FORWARDLY OF THE VEHICLE FOR GUIDING THE DRAG LINE SUBSTANTIALLY IN SAID VERTICAL PLANE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BETWEEN LOCATIONS REARWARDLY OF AND FORWARDLY OF THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE CABLE BINDING LOADS ON THE DRAG LINE AND THE WINCH MEANS IN RESPONSE TO EXTENSION OF THE DRAG LINE AT DIFFERENT ANGLES WITH RESPECT TO THE VEHICLE, AND LOAD RESPONSIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE FRAME MEANS AND THE BOOM MEANS FOR RENDERING THE BOOM MEANS OPERATIVE IN SAID UPPER POSITION AS A RIGID CRANE SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO POSITIONING OF A LOAD BELOW THE BOOM MEANS, SAID LOAD RESPONSIVE MEANS COMPRISING BOOM REST MEANS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME MEANS MOUNTED FORWARDLY OF THE VEHICLE FOR SUPPORTING THE BOOM MEANS IN SAID LOWER AND UPPER POSITIONS, SUPPORTING LEG MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE BOOM MEANS FORWARDLY OF THE REST MEANS, AND HOOK MEANS CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF THE LEG MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REST MEANS WHEN THE BOOM MEANS IS DISPLACED TO SAID UPPER POSITION BY TENSIONING OF THE DRAGLINE TO LOCK THE BOOM MEANS IN THE UPPER POSITION BY THE LOAD, SAID HOOK MEANS CAPABLE OF BEING RELEASED FROM THE REST MEANS AFTER A REARWARD PULL IS EXERTED ON THE BOOM MEANS BY THE DRAGLINE WHEN IT IS UNLOADED. 